Karl Rove takes on Ron Klein -- again

The NYT reported that four Republican-friendly groups — American Crossroads and its related advocacy group, Crossroads GPS, the American Action Network and the Commission on Hope, Growth and Opportunity — began a "House surge strategy," pouring $50 million into several dozen competitive House races.

A spokesman for American Crossroads said the group has set aside $227,000 for the South Florida race where Klein is looking to fend off a challenge from Republican Allen West. TV ads go up Friday, spokesman Jonathan Collegio said, and more are possible, depending on how the race develops.

Klein spokeswoman Melissa Silverman said the congressman is undeterred. "Karl Rove tried to beat Ron Klein once before," she said, referring to Rove's role as Bush chief political strategist in 2006 when Klein defeated Rep. Clay Shaw. "He failed that time and will fail again."

Shaw in an interview after his defeat told the Herald that Rove called him after the election and told him "the race he was most concerned about was mine, and that he felt very badly about losing me.''